Product Evaluation

PARKELL

Predicta Bioactive Cement

Ideal handling and effortless cleanup highlight the extensive list of features offered by this versatile, bioactive, dual-cure resin cement

As Dr. Robert Conte recently told DPS, “It’s hard to get excited about a cement,” a sentiment that may ring true for many restorative dentists. Although it may not be the most glamorous product in a dentist’s restorative arsenal, a cement is a key component to ensuring a successful restorative outcome, and Parkell’s Predicta Bioactive Cement has ramped up Dr. Conte’s excitement level.

“This product is excellent,” he shared after trying the new universal resin cement that combines the benefits of bioactivity with the favorable properties and performance of other premium universal resin cements. According to Parkell, Predicta Bioactive Cement’s ability to help protect crown margins from secondary carries results from its ability to produce a dense hydroxyapatite formation at the crown margin, which aids in filling and sealing the vulnerable microgap. When asked if he would recommend Predicta Bioactive Cement to colleagues, Dr. Conte replied, “Yes, it’s a very simple cement to use.”

Dispensing, Handling, & Curing Properties

A self-adhesive, self-etching, dual-cure resin cement, Predicta Bioactive Cement is available in 2 shades (translucent and A2) and contains MDP for strong bonds to zirconia. Dr. Craig Aebli praised the “ability to dispense the cement quickly into crowns,” Dr. Robert DeFazio “loved the short mixing tips” that came with the material, and Dr. Charles Kattuah liked the “ease of dispensing and mixing.” Dr. Joseph Ritz said an “after-hours unassisted crown insertion visit was executed easily with the aid of this cement.”

Hoping for a cement with a “thin viscosity, adequate working time, and solid curing,” Dr. David Fang determined that Predicta Bioactive Cement “met all requisites perfectly. It handles great, is viscous without slumping, and, once in place, it set up very quickly. I like the consistency and the fairly quick self-cure time while still giving plenty of working time,” he explained. Dr. Milton Ruiz liked “the way it handled, how it completely sealed margins,” and that he was able to get a quick initial set by light curing.

Dr. Rory Sprouse confided, “It is a dual-cure resin that was easy to use when tried in combination with different materials and different levels of retentive prep design.” Appreciating that multiple bonding steps were not required with Predicta Bioactive Cement, Dr. Robert Milner said he was able to perform faster crown seating, which saved chair time and was particularly beneficial for patients with heavy saliva production for whom isolation was difficult.

Bioactive Properties

In addition to the continuous release and recharge of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions, Predicta Bioactive Cement also offers no postop sensitivity for patients. “So far I have not had any postop sensitivity in cases where the patient was a little sensitive during cementation,” revealed Dr. Ruiz. “I had no post-cementation sensitivity with this material at all,” Dr. Fang agreed. “It is too early to tell, but the product claims to have restorative properties to prevent recurrent decay,” explained Dr. Philip Aurbach, who said he “truly hopes the product works as described to help seal margins and prevent recurrent decay. If so, it is a superior product to traditional cement.” Dr. Sprouse said he achieved “good results with the added long-term bioactive benefits,” and Dr. Milner said it “should work well for patients having issues with cervical decay around restoration margins.” A long-time user of Parkell products, Dr. Ritz said he “has confidence in the brand and trusts this product to be a credible improvement over other bioactive cements.”

"To reduce or eliminate patient discomfort is a significant boost for my patients."
-Helen K. Lester, DDS, FAGD, AFAAID
Eugene, OR

Versatility & Ease of Cleanup

Indicated for luting crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, and posts, Predicta Bioactive Cement is “simple to use with many indications,” reported Dr. Sprouse, who “used it with different material types with consistent results.” When repairing a broken, 4-unit anterior bridge that required an immediate quick fix for impending function, Dr. Fang was thrilled that Predicta Bioactive Cement helped deliver a successful outcome. Describing “a patient with a horizontal fracture of tooth No. 9, Dr. DeFazio successfully cemented a carbon fiber post and used Predicta Bioactive Cement again to cement the e.max crown. Praising its “ability to light cure in cases that I needed the cement to harden quickly,” Dr. Ruiz called it “very good in cases where you need to cement posts.”

“In a luting cement, ease of use and cleanup are the most important aspects, and Predicta Bioactive Cement is amazing at both facets,” shared Dr. Thomas Morgan, who said, “The cleanup was wonderful, easy, and predictable.” Calling it “easy to dispense and easy to clean up,” Dr. Aebli said, “The dual cure made cleanup of cement easy to manage without it setting too quickly.” While Dr. Ruiz and Dr. Milner would like to have easier cleanup, Dr. DeFazio agreed it was “easy to clean up after the initial 3 to 5 second set.”

Overall Satisfaction

“I am very confident with this cement. For the short time to evaluate permanently cemented products, I did not have one issue,” disclosed Dr. Fang. Parkell’s Predicta Bioactive Cement “made placing crowns easy and predictable with few problems,” concluded Dr. Aebli.

Takeaways

• A self-adhesive, self-etching, dualcure resin cement in shades A2 and translucent
• Bioactive properties help prevent secondary caries and provide other long-term benefits
• Ideal viscosity for easy handling and cleanup
• Outstanding bond strength across a full range of substrates (including zirconia)
• No postop sensitivity